Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum Infection in Dairy Cattle in West of Iran

Abstract

The Neospora caninum parasite causes abortion in cattle in virtually all parts of the world with enormous economic consequences. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies of Neospora caninum in dairy cattle in Lorestan Province, west of Iran. A total of 347 dairy cows were randomly selected. The serum of each case was analyzed for the possibility of the presence of antibody against N. caninum antigen, using the commercial kit: ELISA.  The results of the ELISA test indicated that from 347 dairy cattle examined, the antibodies to N. caninum were found in 34 (9.8%). The percentage of seropositive aborted cattle was 13.33%. This study also indicated that there was no significant relationship between seropositivity and such factors as the age, breed, and abortion history of the cattle.  Moreover, no significant relationship between seroprevalence of infection among rural and industrial cows was found. The neosporosis could be one of the possible causes of abortion in cattle. Further studies are recommended to determine the relationship between this parasite and the occurrence of abortion in cattle in the province of Lorestan.

Keywords

• Neospora caninum, ELISA, cattle, Iran

İran’ın Batısındaki Süt Sığırlarında Neospora caninum Enfeksiyonunun Seroprevalansı

Abstract

Neospora caninum parazitleri sığırlarda dünyanın hemen hemen bütün bölgelerinde çok büyük ekonomik sonuçlara yol açan düşüklere neden olur. Bu çalışmanın amacı İran’ın batısında, Lorestan bölgesindeki süt sığırlarında Neospora caninum antikorlarının seroprevalansını belirlemektir. Toplamda 347 süt ineği rastgele seçildi. Her olgunun serumu ticari kit: ELISA kullanılarak N.caninum antijenine karşılık antikor mevcudiyeti olasılığı yönünden incelendi. ELISA testinin sonuçları incelenen 347 süt sığırının 34’ünde (%9,8) N.caninum’a karşı antikorların bulunduğunu gösterdi. Seropozitif abort yapan sığırların oranı %13,33 bulunmuştur. Bu çalışma aynı zamanda seropozitivite ile büyükbaşların yaşı, cinsiyeti ve düşük geçmişleri gibi faktörler arasında anlamlı bir ilişki olmadığını gösterdi. Ayrıca, kırsal ve entansif sistemde yetiştirilen inekler arasında enfeksiyon seroprevalansı yönünden de anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmadı. Sığırlardaki abortların olası nedenlerinden birisis neosporosis olabilir. Lorestan bölgesindeki görülen abort vakaları ile bu parazit arasındaki bağlantıyı belirleyebilmek için daha kapsamlı çalışmalar önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Neospora caninum, ELISA, sığır, İran

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